<p>My neice is a high school senior and I was thinking that for the holidays, I’d get her something that she can take with her to her college dorm. She doesn’t yet know where she’ll be attending college but she will definitely be living on campus. My kids all commuted, so I really don’t know what actual dorm room needs are aside from bedding (and that should be her choice). My budget is about $20. Suggestions? </p>
<p>Or is it really best to know the college to better know what she’ll need? I’m thinking that there should be some generic items that every college student should need. </p>
<p>I made a desk kit for each kid when S graduated. It had a lot of little things that are handy in a desk–scissors, correction tape, scotch tape, scissors, envelopes, a few postage stamps, mini stapler, one hole punch, etc. Another thing we bought was mini multitools, with scissors, screwdrivers, etc. both seemed well-received and handy for dorm life. ;)</p>
<p>D is now a junior and she has used (and shared) her small tool kit, a small umbrella that fits in a back pack, warm socks, decent slippers, her fan (though it was more than $20), school supplies including a stapler, duct tape, painters blue tape, scotch tape, hole punch, collage picture frame, drying rack for items that don’t get baked in the school dryer.</p>
<p>How about a holiday gift that is a holiday gift. Get her college things for graduation. That being said…there ARE things that she can enjoy now AND take with her to college. How about a nice set of towels, or even a bath sheet with some lotions?</p>
<p>@dentmom4 - do you recall the tools that were in your daughter’s kit? I really like practicall gifts (and this would be something that would be useful after college also) but I’m having trouble imaging what kinds of tools would be useful in a college dorm. </p>
<p>I also have a niece that is a hs senior. I had already decided on two gifts for her, I now need to decide which is for Christmas and which is for graduation. One is the tool kit idea and the other idea is a laundry basket filled with laundry supplies. Her mom has already told me that laundry is free on her college campus, so I will not need to give a roll of quarters and can spend more on soap, dryer sheets, etc.</p>
<p>Another idea is stuff for her car if she has one. Does she have jumper cables, an extra quart of oil, windshield fluid, wet wipes, etc.?</p>
<p>I understand wanting to get the college stuff given the circumstance that your family doesn’t do grad presents. But car supplies to me feels not very holiday-ish to give for a gift. Just my opinion! I understand practical , but maybe something a little more personal or “fun” to have that is still useful. Nice flip flops for the shower, a cute cuddly lap blanket, a warm pretty robe…</p>
<p>I got the tool kit at Target in the spring–used it as graduation gifts for D’s 4 best friends. Has been a HUGE hit! Runs about $15 and is in the tool area. It had a small hammer, screwdrivers, measuring tape, some nails and brads, adjustable wrench, pliers. Very handy when assembling anything.</p>
<p>Instead of a laundry basket, I would suggest a pop-up hamper with handles as some closets don’t have much width or depth. D also likes to drag hers down the hall because when it’s stuffed, it’s heavy.</p>
<p>One more comment - I promise I’m not trying to be negative!!!</p>
<p>Re: the tools. It IS a great idea for a room to have them. However, if all 4 girls in a suite bring tools, well, that’s 3 extra sets of tools not needed. The tools are a pretty standard gift to get these days - chances are very good that more than one person will have them. </p>
<p>we did NOT get our D tools for her dorm. She bought some (IKEA) for about $10 her junior year. She is still using them (and has loaned them out) in her apartment 4 years later…</p>
<p>Doesn’t scream Christmas to me…but tool kit sure is practical, useful…</p>
<p>Thanks so much everyone!
When I was out shopping today I did see a super soft/cuddly throw blanket. The kind that after you touch it, you just have to touch it again because it feels so nice. After reading everyone’s thoughts, I’m thinking of a ‘comfort’ basket - blanket, socks/slippers and some aromatherapy lotion.
I just knew that you’d all be able to help jump start my thinking. </p>
<p>Now come the teen nephews. One is a freshman and the other is a junior. I don’t know either one very well (let’s hear it for family disfunction. Sigh.) Maybe movie theater tickets? </p>
<p>Boys=never ending bottomless pits. Chipotle/in n Out/McDonalds gift cards. Never got a complaint! And the blanket…was it from Costco? They have to DIE for cozy blankets again this year. I bought one more for teen son who was sad he didn’t get one last year!! He would steal mine so it was really self-preservation!</p>
<p>So happy to see this thread as I was considering posting something similar. In my case, I’m trying to buy for my daughter. Santa wants to bring her some college/dorm items for Christmas but knows that she generally likes to pick things herself. With my son, it was easy he didn’t care and would use whatever we bought. She. cares. about. everything. We know what school she will be attending and she already has many shirts and hoodies from that school, but I’d like some generic ideas. I like the laundry basket idea and will use that as my base…so bedrisers, a few tools, schools supplies…keep it coming. Thanks!</p>
<p>If you are getting her bedrisers, then you may want to get one or two underbed wheeled storage bins. Bed, bath and beyond has them but I’m sure that others have them as well. They are extremely useful. And the lidded ones keep things dust free.
Of course this assumes that she won’t be in a bunk bed. </p>